HUMANITIES 2: Women, Culture, Words
Spring 2005
WF 10 AM, Thomas Garrett 203
Th 7 PM Galileo McAlister
Professor
Marianne de Laet
(with Gwen Spencer '05)
1259
Parsons
7-3812
http://www2.hmc.edu/~delaet/index.htm
course website
The Fabric of Our Lives
Gender
shapes our existence: whether we are men or women, whether we want it or not,
gender plays a role in how others view us and how we view ourselves; it organizes
our relationships and our behavior; and it shapes our opportunities in subtle
and not-so-subtle ways. In this section of Humanities 2 we examine gender,
as it is represented in literature and film. We discuss texts (women's memoirs,
novels, autobiographies, as well as films about and/or by women), focusing
on the interplay between gender and power. Towards the end of the class we
shift our attention towards stories, storytelling, and silence as strategies
used by women to survive repressive or even dangerous cultural, economic,
or political circumstances. We pay special attention to the ways in which
women "frame" themselves, or are "framed" in the popular
imagination; in the course of the semester we seek to understand the importance
of the written and spoken word in fashioning the self, living through unbearable
times, or dealing with an environment that doesn't provide models one wants
to live by.
Words --Reading and Writing
While
this class is organized around stories about women's lives and experiences,
Humanities 2 is primarily a course in writing, research methods, and critical
thinking. The materials we present are meant to evoke your thoughtful response
in discussions and written work. Moreover, they should serve as a starting
point for further, in-depth research. We know and understand that for many
of you writing is not your first concern. We also know that some of you think
that at high school graduation your writing education is complete. This
is a mistake. Learning to write efficiently and effectively is a continuing
process; writing is work, it is difficult, and it is a skill that improves
with practice and commentary. The only way in which your writing will improve
is by doing it, and by exposing your work to the critique of others. In the
process, you have to learn to assimilate such criticism: a crucial component
of good writing is knowing how to critically engage your own work. So, in
this class, you write and review and rewrite. If
you learn to write effectively and efficiently you have a tremendous advantage
over other college graduates. Employers are increasingly aware of the cost
associated with bad writing: their business depends on your communication
skills. Likewise, if you aspire to a career in science, you have to be able
to express your ideas clearly and precisely in writing and otherwise; the
success of your collaborations depends on it. But there is one more thing.
It is through words that we pass on ideas, knowledge, and culture. Words enable
us to look further than the limited realm of our own experiences and to imagine
others' worlds. Words have power - and they can be deeply satisfying. We hope
to inspire you with our pleasure in words.
What we do in this class
Movies are shown on Thursday nights at 7PM in Galileo McAlister; we discuss
them in class the following Friday. After each series of three movies you
write a short, 5-7 page paper (for instructions see below). At the end of
the semester you expand and revise one of these into a 10-15 page research
paper.
There will be short readings, which we discuss on Wednesdays. Some class time
will devoted to writing and research techniques. There is no class on Mondays.
Please be aware that the movies are an essential part of this class --
moviewatching is not optional!
|
Films: I Power? II The Cost
of Power III The Power
of Words |
Due dates: First paper (Power?)
peer review 2/9 Second paper (The
Cost of Power) Third paper (Power
of Words) Final research
paper |
The research paper is due for peer review on 4/25; you hand over the final version in class on 4/27. This paper is more involved; it is 10 pages in length (no less, and no more than 15!) and it builds on 5 references: sources you find on your own. (Of course, Gwen and I will help). The paper expands with independent research on the thoughts you developed in one of your short essays . It addresses the general theme of this class; it is thoughtful and carefully argued; it discusses the sources in a meaningful way, and it invites the reader to think along with you. You should begin to think about the research paper immediately after Spring break: play around with topics and research questions, go to the library to find your sources, talk to us about what would be a good research question in the framework of this class. While I will remind you to get your act together, you are pretty much on your own in pacing this project. DO NOT POSTPONE IT UNTIL THE LAST WEEK!
First drafts of essays will be peer edited in class and are due 2/9 and 3/8, 4/13, 4/25. It is your responsibility towards your classmates to bring the draft to class on these dates; it will affect your grade if you don't.
| Each paper is 20% of your grade; peer review 10%, class participation 10% |
Policies and rules of conduct
Course
Texts
Required:
Azar Nafisi Reading Lolita in Tehran
Virginia Woolf A Room of One's Own
Recommended:
Diana Hacker A Writer's Reference
Corrigan A short guide to writing about film
Optional:
Juska Bare
Eaves A Round-Heeled Woman